How to Find Archived Emails

Find and open emails you have archived in Gmail so you can read them again or move them back.

Steps

1
Open Gmail and look at the left sidebar.
You may need to click "More" to see all your folders and labels.
2
Click "All Mail"
from the list on the left. This folder contains every email you have sent or received.
3
Search or scroll to find the archived email.
Use the search bar at the top with the sender name or keywords.

How do I move an archived email back to the inbox?Show

Open the email, click the "Move to Inbox" icon at the top, and it will return to your main inbox.

What is the difference between archiving and deleting?Show

Archiving hides the email from your inbox but keeps it. Deleting moves it to trash where it is removed after 30 days.

Can I find archived emails from my phone?Show

Yes, open the Gmail app, tap the three line menu, and choose "All Mail" to see every email including archived ones.

Written by the HowToDoStuff.online editorial team. Last updated May 18, 2026.